Living in Minnesota, you hear about “Minnesota nice” all the time. Actions speak louder than words, though, and when I heard that CenterPoint Energy sent linemen, support personnel, and various contractors to the East Coast to help restore power in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, it made me feel proud. See? We are nice and we do like to help.
Over the years, CenterPoint Energy crews have restored power to millions of customers throughout the country who were left in the dark following hurricanes, ice storms, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms.
I wondered: How far-reaching is this company?
Not only is it ranked on the 2012 Fortune 500, a list of America’s largest companies (they have more than 3 million metered customers, and they sell and deliver natural gas to customers in six states—Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas), but they also support community on a local level. I love to hear when successful companies don’t forget the importance of giving back.
CenterPoint sponsors the Aquatennial Torchlight Parade in Minneapolis, encourages conservation programs through programs like Tree Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to helping disadvantaged youth and adults reshape their lives by becoming environmental advocates, and awards community partnership grants to communities for safety-related equipment and projects. Employees support the United Way and March of Dimes (among many other nonprofit organizations), received the March of Dimes “President’s Award” for raising $27,000 during the March for Babies Walk in 2012, make fleece blankets for Minnesotans in need, donate blood to the American Red Cross, take part in beautifying roadways through Adopt a Highway, support mass transit and recycling, and so much more.
CenterPoint’s vision is to be recognized as America’s leading energy delivery company. According to their website, “We know that reliable energy is not a luxury. It’s up to us to keep the lights on and to provide clean natural gas for homes, factories and businesses. Our long tradition of dedication and hard work adds up to a company of people who are always there for our customers and neighbors, for our employees and their families, and for our shareholders.”
Now that’s Minnesota nice at its best.
